Varget in 6.5 x 55: Experiences?

S

Schmeisser

New member
I'm planning to work up a load for my new M96 Swede (Oberndorf, 1899) w/ Lapua cases, SMK 140 grs and CCI BR2. As propellant I would have preferred H 380, but with a full keg of Varget at home I'm hesitant to pack more of that stuff under my pillow. Thus I'd like to develop a load with that propellant, which, in most burning charts, is somewhere between N 140 and H 380 and of course close to (or identical with?) its Aussie sister AR 2208. What are your experiences with Varget behind 6.5 x 55 SE?
 
M

mtnbkr

New member
Reloader 22 didn't work for me and my Winchester Featherweight (skinny noodle barrel doesn't help). I get my sub moa groups with Varget. IIRC, I'm using 36gr with a Sierra 140gr Gameking (soft point boattail).

That same load did a fine job on a deer last season.

Chris
 
J

Joe Bloggs

New member
I found AR2208/Varget a touch too fast for top velocity with heavy bullets in 6.5x55.

ADI website lists a Max load of 36gr for a m/v of 2528fps with the 140gr bullet.

Better options are AR2209/H4350, AR2213SC/H4831SC and AR2217/H1000

ADI Reloaders Guide
 
M

mtnbkr

New member
Yeah, it's a bit fast. But with the 6.5x55, 2500fps is plenty fast for my hunting conditions (shots are less than 200yds and on 100lb-200lb deer). On the 100lb doe I shot last year, the bullet penetrated two ribs and a leg bone before burying itself in the ground. She ran 10yds and dropped dead. A few hundred more fps wouldn't have mattered. This was a 50yd shot btw.

I tried 3 other powders (RL22, 4350, and one more I can't recall), but none were as accurate and consistent in my gun as Varget.

BTW, that ADI site is interesting. I don't think I've ever seen there powders in the States though.

Chris
 
J

Joe Bloggs

New member
You use many of the powders produced by ADI. They are renamed and repackaged by Hodgon, several of them are Hodgon's 'Extreme' line of non-temperature sensitive powders.

This list is not comprehensive - I have another piece of paper somewhere with the others listed but can't find it at the moment.

In approximate burning rates, the made in Australia, ADI powders and the Hodgdon numbered products...

AR2219 = H322
ADI BM2 = Benchmark
AR2206H = H4895
AR2208 = Varget
AR2209 = H4350
AR2213 = H4831 (AR2213 has been removed from sale here).
AR2213SC = H4831SC
AR2217 = H1000
AR2225 = Retumbo

My missing list has a few pistol and shotgun powders also made by ADI and repackaged by Hodgon. If I find the list I will add them.
 
S

Schmeisser

New member
Tried 36.5 ... 38.0 grs of Varget behind 120 bullets. Didn't find the accuracy overly convincing (2.36 MOA). Problem: barrel got hot quickly. As I'm getting new supply of N 140 today, I will try this powder (works excellent in .308) w/ BT and FB bullets. Will let you know how it works.
 
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